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1. Even corrupt trees bear some fruit, though but withered. Most men go to hell in the way of religious appearances (Matthew 7:22, 23).

2. Withering and decaying in holiness is a distemper very unsuitable, and should be very hateful to every Christian.

(1) In respect of God. Decays in our Christian course oppose His nature, in whom is no shadow of change.

(2) In respect of ourselves.

(a)  Whatever professions have been made, it is certain there never was sincerity.

(b)  Spiritual withering renders all former profession unprofitable and in vain.

(c)  Spiritual withering makes our former profession and progress therein to injure us.

(3) In respect of others.

(a)  They who remain strong and stable are much distressed by the decay of any.

(b)  The weak are much endangered to be carried away with others for company.

(c)  The wicked are confirmed in the sin into which the decayed Christian is fallen, and also much deride and reproach that way of truth and holiness which the unsteadfast have forsaken.

3. It is the duty of Christians to endeavour after spiritual fruitfulness (Matthew 3:8; Luke 3:8; 2 Corinthians 9:10; Philippians 1:11; James 3:17; John 15:2, 5, 16; Colossians 1:10).

4. The greatest flourishes and appearances of hypocrisy cannot reach the excellency of the least dram of sincerity. All a hypocrite can do amounts not to fruit.

5. Incorrigibleness in sin is a dismal condition. It is a woe to have a bad heart, but it is the depth of woe to have a heart that shall never be better.

6. It is our greatest wisdom, and ought to be our chiefest care, to be preserved from apostacy. To this end —

(1)  Be sure to have the truth of spiritual life in you.

(2)  Forecast the worst that can befall you.

(3)  Take heed of the smallest decay, a beginning to remit of thy holiness.

7. God at length discovers unsound, empty, and decaying Christians to be what they are.

(W. Jenkyn, M. A.)

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KJV: These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

WEB: These are hidden rocky reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you, shepherds who without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn leaves without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;